Today's visitors to Swanmead were league new boys The Hilberts. Without knowing too much about our opponents we knew we were going to be in for tough match.
 
Back into the squad this week was Martin Tamplin who had returned after a few weeks with the first team and Andy Thomas who made his comeback from injury. Unfortunately Ben Bridges aggravated his ankle injury against Woodlands last week and so was absent from the squad. Dan Rosier was also missing. 
 
We lined up today with J Faulkner in goal. A back four of Thompson, Herbert, Chambers and Tamplin. In midfield were M Faulkner, Bowen, Poore and Tuema. With Warner and Gurney up front. This weeks bench was made up of Tadmor, Piscina, Hunt and Thomas.
 
We started the game slowly again his week and it took us quite a while to get going but after sharing the opening exchanges we started to take the game to The Hilberts and dominated possession. Although we were didn't create any real clear cut chances we were starting to move the ball around confidently and played some decent football.
 
Although the visitors looked dangerous on the break we were able to snuff out any threats.
 
Midway through the first half the deadlock was broken. The ball was well worked out of defence down the Invicta right and played inside to Warner. After beating his man he struck an unstoppable shot from fully 30 yards which had the keeper well beaten.
 
The rest of the half was played out in much the same vain and we went in at half time 1-0 up.
 
Unfortunately our second half performance was again lacking the same desire and urgency as our first 45. Apart from a superb save by the visiting keeper to deny Mark Faulkner we never really looked like extending our lead. Even the introduction of Piscina, Hunt and Tadmor for Warner, Gurney and Thompson didn't help to change our fortunes.
 
In fact as the half wore on it was The Hilberts who grew in confidence and looked the more likely to score and James was called upon on a few occasions to keep our lead intact. Unfortunately were looked tired in the second half and it seemed as though with 15 minutes remaining we were praying for the referee to blow his whistle for full time.
 
With 80 minutes on the clock an attack down the Invicta right saw the ball played deep into our penalty area and a smart volley saw he ball nestle in the top corner for a well deserved equaliser. Sadly it was nothing more than we deserved and at this point it wouldn't of been a surprise to see us go on and lose this game, however with time running out a long ball into our opponents box was met by the head of Piscina. His header was goalbound and although it may have already crossed the line Tuema made sure by thumping the ball high into the roof of the net.
 
With only seconds remaining there was no time left for another equaliser. The full time whistle blew marking a 2-1 home victory!
 
Congratulations to all of the squad today for a hard fought victory, however we really must continue to work hard at retaining possession and making better use of the ball when we have it, if we are to challenge for honours this season.
 
Next week we are away to Blackham & Ashurst in what will be another tricky fixture.